Golf IQ’s straight-arm question puts the other elbow in focus

A reader’s question about keeping the lead arm straight gives Golf Digest’s new Golf IQ mailbag a useful starting point: a bent arm can be a symptom, and the other elbow deserves attention too.

In the September 30 episode, Luke Kerr-Dineen distinguishes a little lead-arm flexibility from a backswing that collapses because the arms fold instead of the body turning. He says some give can lengthen the hands’ path, while excessive bending can make a swing look longer without producing a fuller turn.

His next point concerns the trail arm. Too much folding can draw the hands close to the body and reduce width. For a right-handed golfer, that means examining the right elbow rather than concentrating entirely on keeping the left arm rigid.

A coach’s way to see the connection

PGA professional Ged Walters explains the same relationship in a separate Golf Monthly lesson published in February. Both hands hold the club, so excessive trail-arm folding can force the lead arm to bend.

Walters suggests rehearsing with an inflated armband above the trail elbow. It limits how closely the upper arm and forearm can fold. His instructions are to move slowly, remove the aid and try to reproduce the feeling.

Start with the opening question

The two explanations give readers a specific question to take into practice: is the backswing gaining length through a turn, or through arms that fold inward? The aim is to understand the movement behind the position before adding another swing thought.

Kerr-Dineen’s episode continues through questions about grip changes, iron trajectory and adjusting to different green speeds. He identifies himself as a reporter rather than a coach. The opening arm discussion begins around 35 seconds into the video; the full mailbag runs just over 35 minutes.

Watch that section alongside Walters’ separate demonstration for the explanation and the rehearsal.